Inflammatory Stress Response During Pregnancy as a Connecting Link in Intergenerational Risk Cascades.

Area of Science:

• Psychoneuroimmunology
• Reproductive Health
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Background:

• Childhood maltreatment is linked to long-term health vulnerabilities.
• Pregnancy is a sensitive period for stress-related health impacts.
• Intergenerational transmission of health risks is a growing concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if childhood maltreatment predicts oral inflammatory responses to acute stress in late pregnancy.
• To determine if these inflammatory responses are associated with obstetric complications.
• To explore the role of oral inflammation in intergenerational health risk.

Main Methods:

• A community sample of 158 pregnant women reported maltreatment history.
• Participants underwent the Trier Social Stress Test in the third trimester.
• Saliva samples measured pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and C-reactive protein (CRP) for oral inflammation.

Main Results:

• Childhood maltreatment, particularly physical neglect and sexual abuse, predicted elevated and/or prolonged inflammatory stress responses.
• Higher inflammatory responses correlated with increased pregnancy and birth complications.
• Extended inflammatory responses were linked to a higher likelihood of preterm birth.

Conclusions:

• Oral inflammatory response to stress may mediate the link between childhood maltreatment and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
• This pathway is a potential target for interventions aimed at reducing intergenerational health risks.
• Findings highlight the importance of addressing early life adversity for maternal and child well-being.